Our next mock draft to be mocked is up and this one comes courtesy of the Fox Sports football staff. A team of eight NFL writers and one college football analyst came together for this one.
They made no allowances for draft-day trades.
For the most part, I think they’ve got it right. But there are one or two nits to pick.
So let’s start picking…
- Carolina Panthers (from Chicago): QB C.J.Stroud, Ohio State
Carolina traded up to get here. They didn’t do so to take a flyer, they have a solid pick in mind.
That is likely Stroud.
2. Houston Texans: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
Houston will take Young, or Stroud, here depending on which one the Panthers don’t take.
To Trade Down Or Not To Trade Down
3. Arizona Cardinals: Will Anderson Jr., Edge, Alabama
Arizona could trade down and still land a quality defensive lineman.
But unless they get a mega-deal, they should probably stand pat and draft J.J. Watt’s replacement.
4. Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
Richardson to the Colts makes a lot of sense.
5. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver): Lukas Van Ness, DE, Iowa
They allow for the possibility of taking Jalen Carter here, but I agree with the assessment that Van Ness would be the better choice.
He doesn’t have the off-field issues hanging over his head.
6. Detroit Lions (from L.A. Rams): Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
This would make sense.
So look for either Carter or Van Ness, if Seattle goes with Carter instead.
7. Las Vegas Raiders: Tyree Wilson, Edge, Texas Tech
They allow for the possibility of taking quarterback Will Levis here, but the Raiders need defensive help more than they need a guy to carry a clipboard for a year or two.
And there are solid options at quarterback to be found in the later rounds.
Second Draft Day Trade Possibility
8. Atlanta Falcons: Myles Murphy, Edge, Clemson
They point out that Atlanta could trade down with Tennessee, allowing the Titans to grab Levis, and still end up with a solid starter on the defensive line.
If they don’t pull a trade, Murphy would be a solid pick.
9. Chicago Bears (from Carolina): Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
I think Chicago needs to address the o-line here as opposed to looking for a cornerback.
10. Philadelphia Eagles (from New Orleans): Peter Skoronski, OL, Northwestern
I think they have these two picks reversed.
The Bears need an offensive lineman and the Eagles need help on defense.
11. Tennessee Titans: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
I still think the Titans will move up to #3 or #8 depending on if the top four quarterback prospects are still sitting backstage or not.
But if they don’t and they select here, Smith-Njigba could be a nice pick.
12. Houston Texans (from Cleveland): Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
If Smith-Njigba is gone by this point, Flowers would be a nice compliment to whichever quarterback they do land with the second pick.
The Aaron Rodgers Effect
13. New York Jets: Paris Johnson, OT, Ohio State
As with our previously highlighted mock, if the Jets are going to bring in Aaron Rodgers they need to draft an offensive lineman.
Rodgers will not last the season if his protection is flawed.
14. New England Patriots: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
The Patriots don’t draft cornerbacks this early, but Gonzalez could be the exception to that rule.
Frankly, I think they look elsewhere are trade out of the first round. We’ll see in two weeks.
15. Green Bay Packers: Calijah Kancey, DL, Pitt
They did point out that drafting a wide receiver in the first round after Rodgers departs would be the ultimate knife in the back to their former quarterback.
But unless Smith-Njigba or Flowers falls to the 15th pick, Green Bay should probably do what the draft team suggests here.
This mock draft was compiled by:
AFC South reporter Ben Arthur (@benyarthur)
NFC South reporter Greg Auman (@gregauman)
Dallas Cowboys reporter David Helman (@davidhelman_)
AFC East reporter Henry McKenna (@McKennAnalysis)
NFL and betting analyst Geoff Schwartz (@GeoffSchwartz)
NFC West reporter Eric D. Williams (@eric_d_williams)
NFC East reporter Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano)
NFC North reporter Carmen Vitali (@CarmieV)
College football analyst RJ Young (@rj_young)
Tomorrow: Picks 16-31.
